The Silent Years of Jesus

The life of Jesus, while full of incredible moments, also includes a period of silence—the years between His childhood and the beginning of His public ministry. These years are almost completely unrecorded in Scripture, and yet they are incredibly important. In Luke 2:52, we read, "And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people." This verse shows us that during these silent years, Jesus was growing and preparing for the mission ahead, though we don't have details about how He spent this time. It reminds us that sometimes, God works in quiet and unseen ways, preparing us for what is to come.

We often think of the moment when Jesus began His ministry as the pinnacle of His earthly life, but that time of waiting and preparation was just as crucial. Jesus spent decades living a humble, ordinary life, quietly being prepared for His divine mission. This teaches us that preparation for God’s work can take time, and it may not always be visible to others.

Waiting is not a passive state, but an active process. It’s a time for growth, for learning, and for trusting in God’s timing. Jesus Himself, in His quiet years, was learning to walk in obedience to the Father, and we can follow His example. The silent years of His life tell us that God uses these seasons to refine our character and deepen our relationship with Him.

Other figures in the Bible also experienced seasons of waiting. Moses spent forty years in Midian, far removed from Egypt, before being called back to deliver the Israelites. In Exodus 3:10, God says to Moses, "Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt." Moses’ time of waiting and preparation was lengthy, but it was essential for the work God had planned for him.

Similarly, Joseph was sold into slavery and spent years in prison before being elevated to a position of great power in Egypt. Through all the waiting, God was working behind the scenes to position Joseph for leadership. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph reflects on the waiting and the ultimate plan of God, saying, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

Abraham’s wait for the promised son Isaac also shows us that God’s timing is perfect. Despite the long years of waiting, God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled. In Genesis 21:1, we read, "Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised." Abraham’s waiting was not in vain—it was part of God’s greater plan.

Waiting is a part of the process that God uses to prepare us for the work He has called us to do. It’s not about sitting idly by, but continuing in His Word, listening carefully to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and being faithful in the small things. God may be preparing you for something significant, even when it feels like nothing is happening. Like Jesus, Moses, Joseph, and Abraham, we are called to trust that God's timing is perfect, and He is at work even in seasons of waiting.

In Isaiah 40:31, we find a promise for those who wait on God: "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Our time of waiting can be a time of renewal, as God strengthens us for the work ahead.

As we wait, let’s remember that God is not wasting our time. He is preparing us, refining us, and drawing us closer to Him. So, let us be patient, let us remain faithful, and let us continue to seek His voice, trusting that in His perfect time, He will reveal the next step.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

I’d love to hear how this post spoke to you. Have you experienced anything similar in your walk with God? Feel free to share. Let’s encourage one another in faith! Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)